Grand Canyon University vs Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Grand Canyon University holds a 16-point ROI advantage over Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, scoring 25/100 versus 9/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs comes in at $16,745 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,472 at Grand Canyon University - a difference of $5,727 annually, or roughly $22,908 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Grand Canyon University graduates earn a median of $42,186 compared to $37,180 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs. The payback period is 32 years at Grand Canyon University versus 94.9 years at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs.
Graduates leave Grand Canyon University with a median $22,114 in debt versus $29,832 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.61 and 0.88 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Grand Canyon University | Colorado Technical Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,850 | $12,750 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,850 | $12,750 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,472 | $16,745 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,888 | $66,980 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $36,000 | $34,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $42,186 | $37,180 |
| Graduation Rate | 43.5% | 18.8% |
| Payback Period | 32 yr | 94.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $22,114 | $29,832 |
| Monthly Payment | $234 | $316 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.61 | 0.88 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 64.8% | 41.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 35.9% | 32.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.9% | N/A |
| Enrollment | 73,371 | 28,086 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Grand Canyon Univers... | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $18,557 | $16,474 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $18,763 | $16,990 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $21,712 | $18,404 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,471 | $22,215 |
| $110,001+ | $25,701 | $22,394 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Grand Canyon Univers... | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $103,884 | $95,519 |
| Computer Science | $88,308 | $85,337 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $85,864 | $78,606 |
| Accounting | $67,067 | $57,068 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,828 | $65,877 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $60,328 | $48,816 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,600 | $46,981 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Grand Canyon Univers... | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 16 | 10 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 17 | 10 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 48 | 10 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 27 | 4 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 26 | 4 |
| Overall ROI Score | 25 | 9 |
The Verdict
Grand Canyon University significantly outperforms Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs on financial ROI (25 vs 9). The 16-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Grand Canyon University.
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Grand Canyon University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.